The Football Association's attempt to delay the uncontested election of the Fifa president failed at the organisation's congress on Wednesday amid an outpouring of anti-English sentiment from some quarters.

David Bernstein, the FA chairman, made a late attempt to alter the agenda less than 24 hours before the assembly. He was afforded the opportunity to introduce his initiative with a speech to the full congress in which he stated that there would be no "proper, credible mandate" if Sepp Blatter's coronation proceeds amid widespread corruption allegations.

Bernstein's address received muted applause from a section of the congress. However there was scant support for his move at the electronic ballot box as only 17 member associations voted in favour, with 172 opposing his motion and another 17 abstentions or spoiled ballots.

Before the voting, Bernstein's speech was followed a rally in favour of Blatter. Selemani Omari, the president of the FA of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, delivered some powerful oratory.

"Fifa belongs to 208 associations, not one or another," he said. "We're ill at ease with people who wield unfounded accusations. He who accuses must provide evidence. We have no lessons to take. If there is a single candidate also sometimes it is because we are satisfied with the candidate."

Omari was followed by Benin's Moucharafou Anjorin, who said: "I'm ill at ease that this comes from a country like England with its football standing. Some people in Africa take great pleasure from watching English football on the television. This is why I do not understand why we want to create more tensions within Fifa.

"England should not be conveying this message. England should not divide us. We should be here to write history together. We want people to know this congress took place and we adhered to the agenda. That is democracy."

In a 15-minute speech, the Fijian delegate, an executive-committee member of the Oceanian Football Confederation, claimed that it would be "unconstitutional" not to proceed with Blatter's election.

And as not one delegate spoke up in support for Bernstein's measure, a fellow European voice, that of Cyprus's Costakis Koutsoukoumis, was added to the critical chorus.

"Allegations," he said. "What a beautiful English word. We must not allow people outside this room to enter Fifa's agenda."

In response to his confirmation, Blatter talked of Fifa having the best transparency in the world of sport. Two days after he insisted that Fifa's anti-corruption measures must be improved, he added that it should be for the Fifa congress to elect the members of its "independent" ombudsman, the ethics committee.